The sound of the band is loose and rangy in the best tradition of white Southern R&B (a la the best of John Fred and His Playboy Band) and Winter's singing is fully equal of it: he never stops at mere competence. On a quick listen some of the music could have easily been mistaken for Stax soul. But the difference is in the white gospel roots that both Winter and co-vocalist Jerry laCroix exhibit throughout the record. Up-tempo songs like "Save the Planet" and "Keep Playin' that Rock and Roll" are fine rockers but the guts of the album is in slow, semi-religious "You Were My Light." The latter is the highlight of the album: Winter sings flawlessly, first in front of his superb rhythm section, and then with a beautifully arranged and blended horn section. On the choruses the three elements come together with tremendous impact -- enough to blow me back listen after listen. The lyrics here, as throughout, are almost charming in their openness, directness, and simplicity. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the album is the emergence of Edgar Winter as an excellent songwriter.
At the peak of their frenzy, both Winter and laCroix cross over the gospel line and into pure shrieking and screaming. In the controlled doses they administer here, it is very powerful stuff. Such vocal techniques are easily misused, but like everything else on White Trash, Edgar keeps it under control and makes it work for him. The results are a revealing and exciting album -- hopefully, only the first of many more to come. It's the kind of record that makes you want to see the group perform. What higher praise is there for a new album by a new group?
Dying To Live
Edgar Winter's White Trash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I've heard it said there's beauty in distortion
By some people who withdraw to find their head
Now they say that there is humor in misfortune
Sometimes I wonder if they'll laugh when I am dead
[Chorus]
Why am I fighting to live
Why am I trying to see
When there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give
When no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live
If I'm just living to die
Yeah
You know some people say that values are subjective
But they're just speaking words that someone else has said
And so they live and fight and kill with no objective
Sometimes it's hard to tell the living from the dead
[Chorus]
So I'll keep fighting to live
If there's no reason to fight
And I'll keep trying to see
Until the end is in sight
You know I'm trying to give
So come on give me a try
You know I'm dying to live
Until I'm ready
Until I'm ready
Until I'm ready
Til I'm ready to die
Hey, hey, hey, hey
The lyrics of "Dying to Live" by Edgar Winter's White Trash start by contemplating the idea of finding beauty and humor in unconventional places. The singer questions whether this applies to their own life, wondering if people will laugh at them when they die. The chorus then tackles the existential question of why one should bother fighting to live if it feels like there's no purpose, and why one should strive to see and give if it seems like there's no reward or recognition. The second verse draws attention to the paradoxical nature of subjective values in a world where people act as if they have objective truths to fight for, to the point where it's sometimes hard to tell who's really living or just going through the motions.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in life. The questions posed by the chorus are universal and relatable, especially for anyone who's experienced uncertainty or disillusionment. It's a reminder that even when things seem bleak, there's still value in fighting, seeing, and giving, if only to find out what happens next. In a way, the song is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, and a call to keep living even in the face of uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I've heard it said there's beauty in distortion
I've heard that imperfection can be beautiful
By some people who withdraw to find their head
This idea is often spoken by people who isolate themselves to think
Now they say that there is humor in misfortune
Similarly, some people find humor in hardship
Sometimes I wonder if they'll laugh when I am dead
But I worry that those same people will make light of my own struggles and death
Why am I fighting to live
If I'm just living to fight?
I question the point of continuing to fight and endure if that's all my existence amounts to
Why am I trying to see
When there ain't nothing in sight?
Furthermore, what's the use of trying to find clarity when there's no visible outcome
Why am I trying to give
When no one gives me a try?
It's frustrating to keep trying to give to others when they don't reciprocate
Why am I dying to live
If I'm just living to die
And ultimately, I question the purpose of wanting to live so badly when death is inevitable
You know some people say that values are subjective
There are those who argue that personal values are arbitrary and open to interpretation
But they're just speaking words that someone else has said
But in reality, they're just repeating what someone else has told them
And so they live and fight and kill with no objective
As a result, these people may engage in destructive behavior without any clear purpose or goal
Sometimes it's hard to tell the living from the dead
To such an extent that it becomes difficult to distinguish the living from the dead
So I'll keep fighting to live
If there's no reason to fight
Despite my doubts, I'll keep pushing to survive even if I can't find a reason to do so
And I'll keep trying to see
Until the end is in sight
I'll also continue trying to find clarity until the end of my life is imminent
You know I'm trying to give
So come on give me a try
Even though it can be discouraging, I'll keep attempting to give to others and hope they'll do the same for me
You know I'm dying to live
Until I'm ready
Until I'm ready
Until I'm ready
Til I'm ready to die
Ultimately, I still have a strong desire to survive until I'm truly ready to face death
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDGAR WINTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Nillaferilla
I wonder how many people sought out this song because of the chorus on Runnin' Dying To Live.
@wildturkey7896
It's how I found out about it.
@YboyPu
Me
@mglsite
Not me, I fell in love with it in the early 70's
@colomblanco
Anyone who isn't lying
@rahshaad83
Nillaferilla me
@josephmiller1381
i want this song played at my funeral.... i have cancer and i met Edgar several times as an old man and loved this song so much since i was a young man... life is short and anal cancer is a monster i can not handle much longer... Edgar u were a high point in my life and life was better having met you in Hawaii...
@kybayou7
π’π’so sad..I'm so sorry and praying your comfortable with God's hands and your life is going to live on with him here on earth and in heaven β€
@josephmiller1381
@@kybayou7 mahalo 4 your message
@williamcampbell163
God Bless you brother.